Last Updated:April 8, 2025
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This category is for individuals with at least one year of work experience in Canada who wish to apply for permanent residence. Applicants must first register with Express Entry and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Work Experience
- Applicants must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled worker occupation in Canada within the last three years before submitting their application.
- Work experience must be in occupations classified under NOC skill levels (TEER) 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Applicable Skill Levels (TEER)
Skill levels are categorized within Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as follows:
| Skill Level 0 | Business owners, corporate executives, and senior management |
|---|---|
| Skill Level 1 | Specialized occupations that generally require a university or graduate-level degree |
| Skill Level 2 | Skilled trades and mid-level management roles that generally require a college diploma or over two years of apprenticeship training |
| Skill Level 3 | Mid-level technical positions that generally require a college diploma, less than two years of apprenticeship training, or more than six months of practical on-the-job training |
Language Proficiency
If applying for NOC skill levels 0 or 1, applicants must have scored at least CLB 7 on an approved English or French language test taken within the past 2 years.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB7 | IELTS | English | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| PTE Core | English | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 | |
| TEF Tests taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 434-461 | 428-471 | 434-461 | 456-493 | |
| TEF Tests taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023 |
French | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | |
| TCF | French | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
If applying for NOC skill levels 2 or 3, applicants must have scored at least CLB 5 on an approved English or French language test taken within the past 2 years.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB5 | IELTS | English | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| PTE Core | English | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 | |
| TEF Tests taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 352-392 | 330-378 | 352-392 | 387-421 | |
| TEF Tests taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023 |
French | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | |
| TCF | French | 375-405 | 6.0 | 369-397 | 6.0 |
Province of Residence
Applicants must intend to reside outside the province of Quebec.
The application process for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
01Meet the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Experience Class
In order to apply for permanent residence, you must meet all of the above eligibility requirements.
02Submit your profile to the Express Entry system
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, register your profile online through the Express Entry system.
03Once your score is calculated, you will be placed into the selection pool
Based on your profile registration, your score will be calculated and you will enter the Express Entry selection pool.
04You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) grants you the right to submit your permanent residence application. IRCC conducts regular draws, issuing ITAs to the highest-scoring candidates in the pool. If you do not receive an ITA, you will remain in the selection pool for up to one year.
05Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC within 60 days
Once you receive an ITA, you must complete your permanent residence application within 60 days. Create an account on the online application portal, attach the required documents, and submit them to IRCC. If you are between 14 and 79 years old, you will also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints) and a photograph.
06Assessment by IRCC
After IRCC completes its review, you will receive a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR).
07Landing
Applicants residing outside Canada must enter the country with their CoPR, while those applying from within Canada can complete the landing process online.
08Receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card
After landing, your PR card will be sent to your designated address in Canada within a few months.
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